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From: yournotauser on 1 Oct 2006 19:27

Hub wrote:
> Looking to get a new sport/touring bike. So far I've got it narrowed
> down to the Yamaha FJR1300 and the Honda ST1300. Any recommendations,
> or other bikes I should consier? Ideally I get one thats 2 to 3 years
> old and in great condition, but I might buy a new one instead.
>
> Thoughts much appreciated.. thx!
>
> Hub

Hmm. Well, since you asked. I own an '04 FJR1300. Nice reliable and
fun bike. No complaints. Great power, good milage, nice looks as far
as I'm concerned. Now, I will admit that my choice of the FJR over the
ST1300 and the Ducati ST3 was mainly that I found one for $1,000 under
blue book for a base model with full factory luggage, upgraded wind
screen, and brand new Metzler tires. I found out later it had a Power
Commander module also, which just made it nicer. If I'd found the same
deal on either of the others I'd probibly be singing the praises of
Ducati or Honda. In all honesty I liked the feel of the Ducati
ergonomics better when I was sitting on them at the showroom, and I was
really close to getting one new, but I was a bit worried about the
maintinance cost. Then I found a sweetheart deal on the FJR and
haven't regretted it in the least.

Bryan

p.s. Well, I take back the no complaints part from earlier. There is
one complaint, and that is that the engine is pretty buzzy between 2500
and 3200 rpm, but I'm in that range about 3 seconds between stops.

From: LittleJohn on 1 Oct 2006 22:53
yournotauser wrote:

> That Hub wrote:
>> Looking to get a new sport/touring bike. So far I've got it narrowed
>> down to the Yamaha FJR1300 and the Honda ST1300. Any recommendations,
>> or other bikes I should consier? Ideally I get one thats 2 to 3 years
>> old and in great condition, but I might buy a new one instead.

> Hmm. Well, since you asked. I own an '04 FJR1300.
<snip>
> p.s. Well, I take back the no complaints part from earlier. There is
> one complaint, and that is that the engine is pretty buzzy between 2500
> and 3200 rpm, but I'm in that range about 3 seconds between stops.

I have an 04 also, but mine is smooth as silk. I do have other
minor problems with it, though. The heat problem has been resolved with
the new bikes. It wasn't that year. At low speeds in triple digit heat,
the FJR throws out heat on the riders legs. Very uncomfortable when it's
really hot out. Also the stock screens are a bit flimsy and even the tall
one doesn't push the turbulence above my helmet, even with the screen in
its full up position. It's great for little guys, but I get a lot
of wind noise.

It's a great bike though, and has the power to pull away from the ST1300
with ease... And both bikes walk away from the Beamers and most
everything else in their class like they were sitting still..

Considering "value for money" of an ST class two years and older, I'd go
with the Honda. However, for a new bike, I think the FJR is far and away
the best of the Sport/Touring class.

--
LittleJohn
Madison, AL
From: Mark Olson on 2 Oct 2006 07:00
LittleJohn wrote:

> It's a great bike though, and has the power to pull away from the ST1300
> with ease... And both bikes walk away from the Beamers and most
> everything else in their class like they were sitting still..

Um... the K1200GT is a new bike with the K1200S motor (detuned)
which I don't think translates into being smoked by the FJR like
it is "sitting still".

> Considering "value for money" of an ST class two years and older, I'd go
> with the Honda. However, for a new bike, I think the FJR is far and away
> the best of the Sport/Touring class.

Nothing against the FJR, it's a great bike by all accounts. However
the Concours 14 looks like it's going to be a worthy competitor, and
will almost certainly have the power advantage over every other bike
in the class.

--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13 '81 CM400T
OMF #7
From: Hub on 2 Oct 2006 08:11
> I have an 04 also, but mine is smooth as silk. I do have other
> minor problems with it, though. The heat problem has been resolved with
> the new bikes. It wasn't that year. At low speeds in triple digit heat,
> the FJR throws out heat on the riders legs. Very uncomfortable when it's
> really hot out.

Having a hot bike would definitely be a problem for me, living in
Houston. Does the 05 model have this problem too? Looks like I might
get a good deal on an 05, but I'll have to pass if my legs start melting
in the Summer around here.

Thx, Hub
From: LittleJohn on 3 Oct 2006 01:45
Mark wrote:

> That LittleJohn wrote:
>> It's a great bike though, and has the power to pull away from the ST1300
>> with ease... And both bikes walk away from the Beamers and most
>> everything else in their class like they were sitting still..

> Um... the K1200GT is a new bike with the K1200S motor (detuned)
> which I don't think translates into being smoked by the FJR like
> it is "sitting still".

The K1200GT is a sharp bike and a true Sport/Touring machine with its
stock electrically operated screen and updated hard bags. It's much faster
than "standard" Beamers, but it's still in third place behind the ST1300
for acceleration.

The reason is poor low end torque. Where the FJR and the ST come on
between 3 and 4K, the Beamer doesn't get good torque until it gets near
7k. Great bike, though, and probably the best looking one of the bunch.

> Nothing against the FJR, it's a great bike by all accounts. However
> the Concours 14 looks like it's going to be a worthy competitor, and
> will almost certainly have the power advantage over every other bike
> in the class.

The 14 I looked at could hardly be considered a touring bike. No bags nor
screen on the stock machine. It looked like a standard (abeit very fast)
sport bike. The Concours is closer, but its bags look worse than the early
Beamers and the screen is low and fixed. Also, no fuel injection and it's
slow on the straight and in the twisties.

--
LittleJohn
Madison, AL
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